Dr. Jureyda Loves Making Patients Smile At Radiance Orthodontics


Dr. Sam Jureyda, or Dr. J as his patients call him, has been a slam dunk for those looking for the perfect smile at his Radiance Orthodontics in Tampa Palms. 
(Photos: Courtesy of Radiance Orthodontics)

When Sam Jureyda, D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine), opened his Radiance Orthodontics more than five years ago in Tampa Palms, he often said his practice provided “modern orthodontics for all ages.”

He hardly could have imagined how much the term “modern orthodontics” would have evolved since then.

“Orthodontics is a rapidly-changing, dynamic specialty that offers kids, teens and adults more options than ever before,” Dr. Jureyda explains. “But, that also makes it confusing for patients.”

This happy orthodontist, whose job it is to straighten and align teeth and jaws, has practiced for more than 25 years. Before moving into private practice in 2006 — and subsequently opening Radiance Orthodontics in 2016 — he taught graduate-level students at the University of Buffalo, after earning his D.M.D. degree from the Boston University School of Dental Medicine and his Certificate of Specialty in Orthodontics from the Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, D.C.

Dr. J, as his patients call him, says everyone who is considering their options for improving the alignment of their teeth and bite can benefit from the free consultation offered at Radiance Orthodontics.

“Each patient has unique needs and requires a personalized and completely custom treatment plan,” he says. “We can help you understand your many options and choose the best course of treatment for yourself or your children.”

At the complimentary, no-obligation consultation, Dr. J will provide a thorough examination and recommend either traditional braces or Invisalign. The choice, however, is still up to the patient, and Dr. J will help you understand the pros and cons of each type of treatment. 

Even traditional braces continue to evolve and use better technologies, and are typically available in either metal or clear ceramic. Dr. J also can  work with patients if they have a specific request, such as someone who recently asked for gold-plated metal brackets. Radiance Orthodontics will happily accommodate any such customized requests, if it is at all possible.

Dr. J says that Invisalign, which uses a series of invisible, removable, comfortable aligners to straighten teeth, is a constantly improving method that is now so effective, it often works more quickly than traditional braces.

Fancy television commercials may say that “do-it-yourself” options can work just as well, but Dr. J emphasizes that having treatment in person with an orthodontist provides you with access to an expert who will check your progress every step of the way to keep you on track and watch to ensure no problems develop or worsen.

Radiance Orthodontics uses an iTero scanner to capture images of the teeth and gums. This means no more goop in your mouth to create impressions. Instead, Dr. Jureyda or an orthodontic assistant will use a compact, hand-held wand and optical digital technology to create 3D images of a patient’s mouth. It takes just a couple of minutes, and the process can be stopped and started as many times as necessary if a patient experiences any discomfort.

Dr. J says it’s much more comfortable and easy than taking impressions the old-fashioned way, and streamlines the process of moving from diagnosis to treatment. Patients can view their “before” images immediately on the screen during the appointment, and a proposed “after” image comes via email shortly after.

In between, Dr. J takes time to carefully review exactly how the technology recommends the teeth be moved into position, using his decades of experience to be sure that each of his patients receives a treatment plan that is perfect for them. While the technology adds some degree of automation, it doesn’t replace his careful eye and expertise throughout the process.

Dr. J’s patients say the best thing about coming to Radiance Orthodontics is the way they are treated as a friend. In fact, he encourages anyone interested in learning more about his practice to Google it and read the reviews.

“It warms my heart that every single review anyone has ever posted about Radiance Orthodontics has been five stars,” says Dr. Jureyda. “I strive to treat all of my patients in a way that shows them the gratitude I have that they are entrusting me with their care.”


Dr. Sam Jureyda

You will never feel rushed in Dr. Jureyda’s office. He is genuinely interested in his patients’ lives and families, and wants to ensure that treatments in his office fit each patient’s lifestyle and are comfortable and easy for them.

He takes time to answer every question, even those that come from the tiniest patients. “He made my 5-year-old comfortable and even took time to answer some of her funny questions,” a recent Google review by M. Haloua stated.

While Dr. Jureyda prefers to take a proactive approach to treatment, rather than wait until all of a young patient’s teeth come in to deal with problems, it’s because early intervention is typically simpler and smaller than a full treatment later. 

The American Association of Orthodontists actually recommends that all children have an orthodontic consultation by the age of seven to identify any potential issues as early as possible and to keep an eye on them as teeth develop. Dr. J encourages parents to take advantage of his free consultation, and he will never recommend treatment that isn’t necessary.

Supporting Education

As a former educator, Dr. J’s passion is for children and their contributions to the community. He is an avid supporter of students and teachers, working in cooperation with all of New Tampa’s public schools as a business partner. For the past three years, Radiance Orthodontics has awarded a scholarship each spring to a Wharton High senior who has demonstrated a commitment to serve the community through volunteering.

He knows how difficult it can be to work orthodontic appointments into a family’s already-busy schedule, so some evening and occasional Saturday appointments are available.

Radiance Orthodontics also works with patients to determine orthodontic benefits through dental insurance and will provide affordable payment options for treatment.

To schedule a free consultation, text or call Radiance Orthodontics at (813) 972-1100 or see the ad on page 5 of this issue. For more information about the practice, located at 17427 Bridge Hill Ct., Suite A, in the Tampa Palms Professional Center, search for “Radiance Orthodontics” on Facebook or visit MyRadianceBraces.com.

Spark Church Brings Together Families For Spiritual Fun At The Grove!

Pastor Garrett Hamblen says now that people are working from home, “They’re so isolated, so we do a lot to cultivate developing friendships with other families” at his Spark Church, which meets in a movie theater at the Grove Theater, Bistro & Entertainment.

When most people think of going to church, a movie theater may not be what they have in mind.

But, that’s exactly where Spark Church meets every Sunday at 10 a.m. 

Pastor Garrett Hamblen says the Grove Theater, Bistro & Entertainment (located north of S.R. 54, just west of I-75) has been the perfect location for his young church, which launched just six months ago.

“We love the movie theater,” Garrett says. “It’s newly renovated and the facility is amazing. From a tech standpoint, we have a huge screen and a nice sound system. Plus, everybody’s been there at some point, so they know what to expect.”

Garrett says movies start shortly after the service ends, and the other amenities at and coming to The Grove — such as the KRATE container park, a mini-golf course and more — make it a very desirable location for families to gather.

“I think that whole area is going to be like the center of Wesley Chapel,” Garrett says, “and we’re thankful to be in the middle of all that.”

On Sundays, the church takes over one wing of the theater, offering worship in a large theater, kids’ church in a smaller theater, and a nursery in a birthday party room. He describes the kids’ areas as “locked down” for safety, in a corner of the building where no public traffic passes by.

“A typical service is very modern, with worship music and lyrics on the screen – not hymns,” Garrett explains. “It’s a time of exciting worship, with a message that’s relevant to you today. We talk about what is happening in the world today, and what the Bible says about it.”

The recently-concluded summer series included a costume contest with prizes for those who were dressed in their most summer-y outfits, including gear like bathing suit trunks and Hawaiian shirts. He says Spark Church offers a very fun atmosphere and everyone is friendly.

Garrett and his wife, Katterine, were married in March of 2020. He says they went on their honeymoon and when they returned, everything had changed. They were basically “the last wedding” before everything shut down due to Covid.

They now live in Wesley Chapel, just a few minutes from the movie theater where the church meets.

Another perk of meeting at the theater is that it already has procedures in place to ensure good air and surface sanitation, plus temperature checks at the front door. The church follows local and theater requirements to take precautions against the spread of Covid. 

Garrett says there’s plenty of room to spread out and masks are not currently required, but many people do wear them. A wristband system allows people to choose a color so others know if they want to be greeted with close contact or keep their distance.

An “Outreach Church”

Garrett describes Spark Church as an “outreach church.”

 â€œThe big thing is that we’re here for the community,” he says. “We’re here to see lives changed in Pasco County.”

He explains that means the church is connected to schools, law enforcement, nonprofit organizations and the government and is available to help in all of these areas in the community. 

As for the church’s name, he says, the it comes from the church’s mission, which is “to spark life change throughout our communities.”

Garrett says he moved to the area several years ago, when he took a job at Loving Hands Ministries, a drug rehabilitation program in Dade City. He also recently served as young adult pastor, then executive pastor, for Calvary Assembly of God in Dade City.

He is licensed as a minister through the Assemblies of God and also has a Bachelor’s degree in Business and an MBA from Indiana State University in Terre Haute. 

“I’ve worked with Restored Hope, and in partnership with Habitat For Humanity and Meals On Wheels and most of the organizations that do good in our county,” he says. “At Spark Church, this is our focus.”

He says that problems facing the community — whether it’s something like homelessness due to a lack of a homeless shelter in Wesley Chapel, or human trafficking — “aren’t going to be fixed by one little church,” but that he hopes that Spark Church will prove to be part of the solution.

“It’s going to take all of us working together,” he says. “I believe we can do much better.”

Garrett is a member of the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel, which he says is starting a major project to build a home for victims of human trafficking in Wesley Chapel. “Spark Church intends to be a big part of it.”

Created For Everyone

“We have a family atmosphere, and there a lot of people who just moved here,” Garrett says. “We’re all looking for friends. Or, maybe you’re not new to the area but haven’t made friends. Especially now that people are working from home, they’re so isolated, so we do a lot to cultivate developing friendships with other families.”

He says that might be cookouts, or providing popsicles after church on a Sunday, or a fun day like a pool party. He even opens his home once a month for “Pizza with the Pastor,” just to “hang out get to know each other.”

As the church grows, Garrett says it will continue to expand. For example, life groups are launching, which he describes as, “Church in people’s homes,” and while the church focuses on families, it welcomes people in any life stage, and recently started a ministry for single, younger adults.

Garrett also has a vision to start a ministry school in the spring that will help people learn to develop of gifts they may have to use in church — whether it’s at Spark or somewhere else. 

“Someone might want to sing, but their church is full of rock stars, so they learn how to develop that skill and then go back and use that gift in their church.”

Asia McGlinchey and her husband Brendan met Garrett at an interest meeting for the church last year. At that time, they were living in Belize and were visiting family in Wesley Chapel who wanted to attend the meeting. They tagged along.

“We heard the vision and felt like the Lord was leading us to join them,” Asia says, “so we moved from Belize last December and have been a big part of the church since then.”

Brendan and Asia bring their three girls, ages eight, six and six months (Asia says her youngest was born just a week after the church launched) and volunteer for the church in various ways. Asia leads the kids’ ministry and the women’s ministry, and Brendan leads music as the worship leader.

“We think that church should be more than Sunday morning,” Asia says, “and that’s their vision, too. Let’s become a family, do outreach, get into the community, become a community, and learn to be a family of believers, not just people who pass by each other on Sunday morning. We love that.”

She says their experience in a tight-knit church in Belize, which served as the center of their small community, gave them a vision of what church can be like. Asia hopes they can bring that sense of connection to Wesley Chapel, too.

“People who come to Spark Church can expect to be welcomed, whatever their background or life,” she says. “We want to get to know everyone, and we want to grow together as a family.”

Spark Church meets at The Grove Theater, Bistro & Entertainment (6333 Wesley Grove Blvd.) every Sunday at 10 a.m. For more info, visit SparkPasco.com.

Education Notes — Heroes, The Road To Success & Flying High!

Deputy William Mellana (left) and Wharton High nurse Alicia Robertson helped save a student’s life at the school on Aug. 17 (Photo courtesy of Hillsborough Schools)

Saving A Student’s Life: All In A Day’s Work

On any “normal” day on a high school campus, the most extraordinary things can happen.

On Aug. 17, a Wharton High student started experiencing a medical emergency, and the school’s resource officer and nurse are credited with jumping in to save the student’s life, working together until paramedics arrived.

Video from Deputy William Mellana’s body camera was released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, showing him performing CPR on the student with the assistance of an automated external defibrillator (AED), which he continued until paramedics arrived. Prior to his arrival on scene with the AED, school nurse Alicia Robertson already had started CPR.

Thankfully, the student has since returned to school.

Alicia deflects any praise directed toward herself and Deputy Mellana, saying it was a team effort to aid the student.

“Several educators and a student who sought out an adult, who initiated help, all played roles in responding in a timely manner to assist the student that day.”

Hillsborough County Public Schools released a photo of the pair and said, “We could not be more proud and thankful to have these two incredible people at Wharton High School to protect our students and staff.”

King High Seniors From New Tampa Collect, Disperse School Supplies 

Three King High seniors from New Tampa have launched the Road to Success School Supply Drive to support students and teachers in their school and throughout the wider community.

Toluwa, Onella and Emma launched the drive with collection boxes at businesses, including Mahana Fresh in New Tampa, Staples and The Salvation Army in Wesley Chapel, and the Ice Dreammm Shop in Lutz.

Their goal is to support students who need tools to be successful in school, and supplement teachers who often have to pay out of their own pockets to keep their classrooms stocked with basic supplies.

The drive was to benefit the Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF), a local nonprofit that distributes school supplies to the county’s schools and students with the greatest needs, with some of the collected supplies directly benefiting King High, where the students attend.

Although their collection for the drive has ended, the teens invite supporters to donate to HEF online at EducationFoundation.com/programs/donate/ and note that it’s part of the “Road to Success School Supply Drive” in the instructions section. 

For more information, visit RoadtoSuccessDrive.com and see the latest news about the drive on Instagram @roadtosuccessdrive.

Wharton Physics Experiments Soar To 80,000 Feet

Wharton High physics teacher Christopher Hart says his AP Physics C class jumped at the chance to develop an experiment that could be tested during the launch of a weather balloon up to 80,000 feet at an educational event held at Tampa’s MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) on Aug. 28.

The launch was organized by Space Trek, an educational company based out of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Merritt Island, FL, and was part of a Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) event encouraging students to get excited about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) concepts.

Hart says HCPS executive director of science education Larry Plank invited his students to design and place and experiments in the balloon, knowing of Hart’s previous experience with the type of programming required to execute them.

AP Physics C is one of four Advanced Placement physics classes offered at Wharton, and Hart says the students in the class have previously had at least one or two years of physics prior to entering the class.

But, it still wasn’t an easy feat to start school on August 10, and have everything designed and ready to launch less than three weeks later.

The class brainstormed a wide range of ideas and came up with two different experiments. One used four ultraviolet sensors to test different brands of sunscreen, while another measured how the size of different volumes of foam insulation changed with temperature changes as the balloon rose.

Hart says 80,000 feet is teetering toward the edge of space, where the highest-flying spy aircraft fly.

“There are pretty dramatic temperature changes, from below zero in some layers of the atmosphere, to spike really high when leaving the atmosphere,” Hart explains. 

He says he told his students that the items they touched in designing the experiments would go to the highest point away from earth, farther than anything they’ve ever touched.

“They outsmarted me,” he laughs, saying that one of his students touched a moon rock at MOSI just to prove him wrong.

He says opportunities like this can be inspirational for students.

“It shows them the real world application of what they’re learning in the classroom,” says Hart. “They’re taking something that is very math-oriented and sometimes very abstract, and they can see it, feel it and touch it. It shows them how that math is applied, and hopefully encourages them to continue their education in this path.”

The students who participated in the event include Dillon Cao, Alex Lopez, Sean Grass, Adriana Salazar, Alex Devers, Dane Devers, Timothy Norwood, and Harshavardan Yuvaraj.

Dr. Rosh Opens Her Oculofacial Surgery & Cosmetic Institute

Dr. Roshni Ranjit-Reeves (with scissors), her family and staff at the Oculofacial Surgery & Cosmetic Institute in Lutz cut a North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon on July 16. (Photos: Charmaine George)

With champagne flowing and a big smile as she cut a ribbon with the North Tampa Bay Chamber, Dr. Roshni Ranjit-Reeves officially opened her Oculofacial Surgery & Cosmetic Institute on S.R. 54 in Lutz on July 16.

“Dr. Rosh,” as her patients call her, came home to the Tampa Bay area with her husband, Dr. Corey Reeves, and their baby daughter after completing a fellowship and practicing at Duke University in Durham, NC.

As an attending physician, she says she enjoyed interacting with residents and medical students, being in academics and mentoring in the operating room and clinic, but was looking for something more.

“For 10 years I’ve been talking about opening a private practice, and now it’s finally here,” she said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “I have a vision for my own practice and I want to execute that.”

Dr. Rosh earned her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Biomedical Sciences from USF, too.

Then, she completed her ophthalmology residency at the USF Eye Institute and an oculofacial and reconstructive fellowship at the Duke Eye Center. She is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

“I want to be part of this community for a really long time,” Dr. Rosh says. “I want patients to grow with me for 30 years. I want to be easy to call and be available to the community.”

At her Oculofacial Surgery & Cosmetic Institute, which hosted its first Open House two days after the ribbon-cutting event, Dr. Rosh sees patients who want cosmetic services to improve the look of their eyes, faces, and skin.

“It’s aesthetics, but it’s also functional,” Dr. Rosh says. “I want to help people see better and feel better, too.”

Some patients receive insurance-based services, typically after being referred to Dr. Rosh by their primary care doctor or dermatologist. For example, some patients need surgery or treatment to restore the function of their eyes, for conditions such as droopy lids, eyelid malposition, thyroid eye disease, tear duct surgery or reconstruction after cancer surgery.

Others receive aesthetic treatments, such as lower lid surgery, laser skin resurfacing, ear lobe repairs, upper lip lifts, photofacials and laser peels.

Dr. Rosh says that even functional surgeries often result in patients not only being able to see better and feel better, but also have a nice aesthetic look when they are done.

“The functional and cosmetic sides blend together a lot,” says Dr. Rosh, “like if patients do upper lid surgery through their insurance but then decide they want lower lid and skin resurfacing, too.”

And, she says her cosmetic patients typically also want to look refreshed — or like a better version of themselves — but not change how they look.

“I love that, because our face is how we identify ourselves,” she says. 

Dr. Rosh believes that interest in cosmetic services has really increased because of the changes in how we interact with each other since the Covid pandemic.

(Dr. Rosh performs laser resurfacing on patient Melanie Aydt.

“With everything being virtual through Zoom and WebEx, people see themselves on a screen a lot more than before,” she says. “They come in earlier for treatments, and they don’t have the downtime that they used to.”

And, she says she’s happy to help those patients with a treatment plan that helps them recover as quickly as possible to resume normal life, and look a bit younger and refreshed, but still like themselves.

Available treatments include full-service, minimally-invasive procedures, such as photofacials, which require no downtime, and help to get rid of red and brown spots or patches on the skin, including helping patients with rosacea.

“If you only have a weekend to heal,” she says, “then we plan accordingly.”

When she does surgery, either in her office or at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, she uses a carbon dioxide laser for incisions. She refers to it as her “magic wand” and says it makes very precise incisions, which helps minimize both bleeding and recovery time.

“I love surgery,” Dr. Rosh says. “This is such a unique field, because everyone’s anatomy is a little different, so recovery is different, and their story as to why they want to get it done is different. So I get to be creative.”

Treating Every Skin Type

Dr. Rosh also emphasizes that the lasers in her office are able to treat patients of all different skin tones and types.

“Our culture is becoming more of a melting pot and, usually, laser treatments can lead to more pigmentations,” she says, “but the lasers I have get great results on patients of all different skin types.”

Three experienced staff members help Dr. Rosh keep the practice running smoothly. Jennifer is the office manager, Kara is a technician and aesthetician, and Lisa handles the front desk and insurance.

Dr. Mary Mercer was one of Dr. Rosh’s first patients when Oculofacial Surgery & Cosmetic Institute opened in July.

Dr. Mercer says she knew Dr. Rosh from when the two were in residency training together.

“I was impressed with her fellowship training at Duke,” says Dr. Mercer. “When I heard she was returning, I was excited both personally and also for our community, to have such a well-trained doctor in the area.”

She says she was pleased with the entire experience, from the convenient location, to the helpful staff, and the procedure itself.

“It was a very professional environment, and I was happy that everyone is female,” says Dr. Mercer. “It’s very comfortable for female patients, very welcoming, and it’s great to support our fellow female professionals.”

Dr. Mercer says the service she received was excellent, the exam was efficient, and both Dr. Rosh’s expertise and the clinical results she has experienced have been impressive.

Speaking of impressive, at the office’s Open House on July 18, Dr. Rosh gave away a number of free services, including a Grand Prize of free Botox for a year to local resident Ravi Patel. 

Dr. Roshni Ranjit-Reeves’ Oculofacial Surgery & Cosmetic Institute is located in the same building as the Medi-Weightloss Center at 24420 S.R. 54 in Lutz. For appointments and more information, including information about the office’s Grand Opening specials, call (813) 303-0123 or visit DoctorRosh.com.

Get Cash For Clothes & Buy Great Brands At Uptown Cheapskate

Owner Amber Watt says business at Uptown Cheapskate in the City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center is better than ever, but if you have clothes you’d like to sell, come on in! (Photos: Charmaine George)

After the Covid-19 pandemic shut retailers down last spring, Uptown Cheapskate reopened in May 2020 with owner Amber Watt feeling cautiously optimistic that the store would be able to recover from the devastating hit it took during its closure in late-March and all of April.

What a difference a year makes.

The trendy resale clothing store in the Publix-anchored City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center is thriving — and continues to grow.

“We’ve been doing really great,” Amber says. “Every month is better than the last.”

In fact, the store’s sales are above where they were pre-Covid and it seems that, every month, there are even more customers looking for great deals on brand name items and wanting to sell their unwanted clothes. Amber thinks that’s because Uptown Cheapskate is a win-win for the community. 

First, the store pays cash for clothing, shoes and handbags that are just taking up space in your home.

Those items that you no longer want can put cash in your pocket and keep the clothes from hitting a landfill.

And that’s not the only environmental impact.

According to Uptown Cheapskate’s website at UptownCheapskate.com, buying used instead of new clothing can reduce your carbon footprint by at least 60 percent, more than if you were to quit using your car.

It’s also a lot easier on your wallet, with prices on “upcycled” clothing at Uptown Cheapskate selling for a mere fraction of what the on-trend, designer pieces sell for new at retail stores. The savings can be 70 to 90 percent.

Some popular brands the store currently sells — and is looking to buy — include American Eagle, Vans, adidas, lululemon, Levi’s, Free People, Nike, Coach, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, H&M and more.

Uptown Cheapskate is part of a national franchise that started in Salt Lake City in 2009, and now has 80 locations across the U.S., including three in Florida. At 4,800 square feet, the Tampa Palms location is larger than most Uptown Cheapskate stores, which are typically closer to around 3,000 square feet.

The large store means lots of inventory for shoppers, and it’s all kept organized and neat, to feel more like an upscale boutique than a thrift store.

While Covid had its impact, the store is pretty much back to pre-pandemic protocols. Employees are wearing masks, but vaccinated customers are not required to wear masks in the store. And, all dressing rooms are open.

With 4,800-sq. ft. of space, and an ever-changing inventory, there are plenty of options for the thrifty shopper to find designer styles at great prices at Uptown Cheapskate in Tampa Palms. 

Amber says customers love when the store offers additional deals, such as the recent Dollar Days, which ended July 18. During this sale, clearance items were sold for as little as a $1. Also, the state of Florida’s sales tax holiday for back-to-school is being held now through August 9, which will save customers the 7.5% sales tax typically charged at the store.

While sales at Uptown Cheapskate are brisk, Amber says that means there’s a constant need for new items to sell.

“We still need more stuff,” she says. “Especially spring and summer items — we cannot get enough of those here in Florida.”

While Uptown Cheapskate buys all seasons all year ‘round, Amber says Florida is essentially a one-season state and items for warm weather are always in the greatest demand.

“We never have enough shorts, tank tops, short sleeves and dresses,” she says, adding that the local Uptown Cheapskate store just added a vintage corner for the first time.

“It’s so fun,” says Amber of her new vintage department, “and very popular right now.”

Amber says windbreakers are flying off the shelves, along with oversized sweatshirts and graphic tees from the 1980s and ‘90s. 

While she says a lot of the store’s customers are USF students, there also are a lot of customers from both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

If you want to sell clothing and other items to the store, just stop in anytime it’s open, but always bring in your items at least one hour before closing. 

Sellers receive a cash offer for any items the store wants to buy, or 25 percent more if they choose store credit instead of cash. If any items are not purchased by the store, the seller has the option to leave them to be donated to the Salvation Army, which picks up from the Tampa Palms location two or three times a week. You can always choose to keep them if you prefer.

With customer service and a boutique atmosphere the priorities of the store, shopping at Uptown Cheapskate won’t feel like thrift store shopping. Even as shoppers rave about how neat and tidy the store is, and the great customer service, Amber strives to keep improving.

“We’ve been trying to step up our game in terms of organization,” she says. “We are making things more consistent, and becoming even more detail-oriented.”

Amber says she pushes her team every day towards her goal of “making sure the experience is perfect every time.”

Uptown Cheapskate is located at 16031 Tampa Palms Blvd. W. Store hours are Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (813) 287-8696 or visit UptownCheapskate.com.